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Volt-Var Curve Reactive Power Control Requirements and Risks for Feeders with Distributed Roof-Top Photovoltaic Systems

Author

Listed:
  • C. Birk Jones

    (Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800 MS 1033, Albuquerque, NM 87185, USA)

  • Matthew Lave

    (Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800 MS 1033, Albuquerque, NM 87185, USA)

  • Matthew J. Reno

    (Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800 MS 1033, Albuquerque, NM 87185, USA)

  • Rachid Darbali-Zamora

    (Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800 MS 1033, Albuquerque, NM 87185, USA)

  • Adam Summers

    (Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800 MS 1033, Albuquerque, NM 87185, USA)

  • Shamina Hossain-McKenzie

    (Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800 MS 1033, Albuquerque, NM 87185, USA)

Abstract

The benefits and risks associated with Volt-Var Curve (VVC) control for management of voltages in electric feeders with distributed, roof-top photovoltaic (PV) can be defined using a stochastic hosting capacity analysis methodology. Although past work showed that a PV inverter’s reactive power can improve grid voltages for large PV installations, this study adds to the past research by evaluating the control method’s impact (both good and bad) when deployed throughout the feeder within small, distributed PV systems. The stochastic hosting capacity simulation effort iterated through hundreds of load and PV generation scenarios and various control types. The simulations also tested the impact of VVCs with tampered settings to understand the potential risks associated with a cyber-attack on all of the PV inverters scattered throughout a feeder. The simulation effort found that the VVC can have an insignificant role in managing the voltage when deployed in distributed roof-top PV inverters. This type of integration strategy will result in little to no harm when subjected to a successful cyber-attack that alters the VVC settings.

Suggested Citation

  • C. Birk Jones & Matthew Lave & Matthew J. Reno & Rachid Darbali-Zamora & Adam Summers & Shamina Hossain-McKenzie, 2020. "Volt-Var Curve Reactive Power Control Requirements and Risks for Feeders with Distributed Roof-Top Photovoltaic Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:17:p:4303-:d:401228
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ismael, Sherif M. & Abdel Aleem, Shady H.E. & Abdelaziz, Almoataz Y. & Zobaa, Ahmed F., 2019. "State-of-the-art of hosting capacity in modern power systems with distributed generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 1002-1020.
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    Cited by:

    1. Toni Cantero Gubert & Alba Colet & Lluc Canals Casals & Cristina Corchero & José Luís Domínguez-García & Amelia Alvarez de Sotomayor & William Martin & Yves Stauffer & Pierre-Jean Alet, 2021. "Adaptive Volt-Var Control Algorithm to Grid Strength and PV Inverter Characteristics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Venizelos Efthymiou & Christina N. Papadimitriou, 2022. "Smart Photovoltaic Energy Systems for a Sustainable Future," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-3, September.

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